Operating mechanism for scotch hearths



Nov. 11", 1930; H, R, MacMlcHAEL 1,781,025

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEARTHS Original Filed Feb. 21, 1929 7SheetsSheet 1 FIG. I.

I IQQ 74 1 Q I W 34 v llllllllllllllllllll I 'mmgmm1 Nov. 11, 1930- H.R. M MlCHAEL 1,781,025

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEAR'I'HS Original Filed Feb. 21. 1929 7Sheets- Sheet 2 Nov. 11, 1930. H. R. M MICHAEL 1,781,025

OPERATING: MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEARTHS Original Filed Feb. 21, 1929 7Sheets-Sheet 6 avwentqz WQM 7 M 107 I Nov. 11, 1930. MacMlcHAEL1,781,025

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEARTHs Original Filed Feb. 21, 1929 7Sheets-sheet, 4

31mm t o'c Nov. 11, 1930. H, R, MacMlcHAEL 1,781,025

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEAHTHS Original Filed Feb. 21, 1929 '7Sheets-Sheet 5 I awwwnto'a.

-\ l l in Alia v R.

III

Nov. 11, 1930. H. R. Ma MldHAEL 1,781,025

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEARTHS Original Filed Feb. 21. 1929 7Sheets-Sheet 6 awwemtoz i i (WWW-4 w aum w NOV. 11, 1930. aQ m 1,781 325OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SCOTCH HEARTHS Original Fild Feb. 21, 1929 7 shts-Sheet 7 Patented Nov. 11, 1930 vireo STATES PATENT.

. HUGH R. MACMIGHAEL, OF ELPASO, TEXAS, AssIcNoR T AMERIoejN' sMEL nvoAND Jeannine COMPANY, on NEW YORK, ,N. Y., A coRPoRA'rIonoFNEw JERSEYornne'rmo MECHANISM non soo'roHHEARTHs' Application filed rebruar 'ai,1929, Serial at. 341,600. Renewed April 5, 1930';

The inventionrelates to metallurgical apparatus, and more particularly,to a new and improved mechanism for mechanically operating ahearth typefurnace.

The invention is particularly--applicable to a mechanical feedingmechanism and operating mechanism for a Scotch hearth, such as usedinlead smelting, although it is use- 7 ful in hearth type furnaces ingeneral. It 10 will be described herein as applied to a Scotch hearthfor the purpose of facilitating the description, although it is notintended to be limited thereto.

The invention in general comprises a mechanical feeding.mechanis1nwhichis adapted to move. longitudinally of the hearth and I toapplya chargeof material thereto. A mechanically operated poker and shovel is alsoprovided on a separate carriage which moves longitudinally'of the hearthin such position that the poker andshovel operate on the charge prior tothe passage of thefeeding mechanism.

According to one tion may take, a Scotch hearth such as used in leadsmelting is provided with a carriage which is arranged to movestep-by-step.

therealong and have mounted thereon various operating mechanisms, suchas a mechanical poker and a mechanical shovel, to rabble and spreadrespectively the material in the hearth.

Suitable devices are provided to auto matically stop and start thecarriage and operating mechanism at the ends of the hearth andthejstepsby -step mechanism is arranged so that the carriageha's'substan-l tially no movement While the sho l and poker areoperatingjuponzthe heart-h; v g

A particular'n echanical shovel which may be employed 'is disclosed inapplication Serial No. 196,304l, filed June 3, 19 27, and a particularmechanical poker "mechanism which may be employed is disclosed inapplication Serial No. 200,523, filedJune 22, 1927. 5 The feedingmechanism in accordancev withthis invention comprises a suitable supplyhopper, feeding onto atraveling-com veyoriwhich delivers the charge to afeedi ringchute'.

form which the inven- The chute .is formed of a plurality of sections,terminating over the hearth and may.

be moved longitudinally thereof .for evenly distributing, the chargeL'The sections :are

particularly adapted to distribute the charge to the furnace atsubstantiallyright angles to the line of travel of the chute wherebysubstantially 'the entirehearth area may be" covered.-

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and.

combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel-features which j are" believed to be characteristicof this invention Will be particularly pointed out in the claimsappendedhereto, the "invention itself, :as'to its objects and advantages,'-themode-of its, I

operation and the manner of its org'ani'za:

tion may be better-understood by'referring. to the following descriptiontaken inf. 0011-.

nection' with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part thereof, in Which:Fig. liis aside elevation of the pok'er'and I shovel carriage and asection through' the hearth; a

Fig.- 2- is an elevation of the poker, and

shovel carriage looking toward the back of the hearth;

Fig, 3 is a topplanv-iew of the samecar-z 'riage illustratingthe controlmechanism;-

, Figs. land 5 are further details illustrat,

ing the control mechanism; l Fig. .6 is a detail illustratingone of theclutches; p Fig. 7 shows an end view of the feeder car:

riage and feeding mechanism and a section through the furnace; V V IFigh8 is a sectional View showing details of the feeding chute;

' Fig. 9, is a side elevation of'the feeder'car riage equipped with thefeeding mechanism, looking toward the back of the furnace;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the Fig.1?) is a section taken onthexline 1313 of Fig. 12; c

Fig. 1 1 is a diagrammatic plan View of the operating. carriages andautomatic control switches atjthe beginning of an operating trip 2- Fig.315isa diagrammatic planyiew of'the carriages and automatic controlswitches .at

the end oftheir operating trip;

'1 Fig51 1'6j'i's an jenlarged detail view of one .Qf the controlswitches;and-

. .Figs; .17 and. 18 are d t Views of the stop members. is

Like reference Characters denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings. 7 In the following description and in the f claims partswillbe identified byspecific, names for convenience, but'they': areintended togbe as generic in their application to simi'-'-' -.larparts'as the" art will permit;

In the drawings accompanying and forming'part of this specification, apractical com a mercial embodiment'of the invention'is T shown, but "assuch-illustration islprimarily ,3, for purposes of disclosure, it :willbe under 7 stood thiLtIthBiStIUCtllIG maybemodifieddn various respectswithout departure'from the broad spirit and scope ofthe'invention as.-

herein fter defin claimed; I

Referring now to the drjawing, =and more particularly: to Fig1-1', somuch of a Scotch lead-smelting hearth. as iis necessaryto an '7understanding.of this-invention :will be described. .The Scotch hearth"may comprise the usual basin ortrough 1,the trough be- 1 ingi.comparatively 1 narrow and relatively v long,iias is Well understood. Atthe front edge of thetroughdan' apron 2 is provided ektendingthe lengthof the trough, the apron sloping "forward and i slightly downwardly.-

At the back 'sideof the'trough and extend ing the length thereofis abackmade 'up of a 'iblock: 3 having'a suitable 'water space-4 therein forcooling, underneath which are suitable tuyereg 5 for supplying draftetothe'e 'furnace,-j' as is wjell understoodjintheart. :i A

' hood denoted-generally 12 is provided,

' its lower end-being Zdisp sedh-cIose to l the i hearth-efiiciently tocatch the fume-and gases, This construction is well knownand nolfurther'des cription is'deemednecessary.

' Disposed in -froi1toff thehearth overhead is a ,10 air of rails 11 on;which the poker and shovelf'carriage runs." The carriage f co m; prises.asuitable framework in which is Journalledia-pair oflaxles fi and 7;which have mounted thereon wheels 8 running on the rails The carriagecarries the, mechanical poker 9 and. the mechanical shovel 10, which V jwillbedescribed in detail,hereinafterf..

-' The carriage is. driven and'moti'on' is parted to the shovel 10 and'p.(', ker.' 91 by an electric? motor 15. Thismot or; drives a .coun;,ter shaft 16 suitablyf-journa-lled the frame of the carriage andcarrying a fly-wheel 17;

This shaft also carries a, spur gear 18, mesh;

ing a pinion'19 on the motor shaft, and also carriesa pinion 2O drivinga large spur gear 21 loosely mounted 'on the operating shaft 22. Mountedo'nia sleeve, whichfis secured 5 to the 'spur'gear 21, is a sprocket23'supp0rting a chain 24- which is'also' supported on an uppersprocket25 mounted on an upper shaft.

' The Operating shaft 22;,is; uitably-journalled in thefrancenndlcarries in overhangin brel ation aram wheel28lin which isjourna led a suitable buckl e or clamp 29 for carrying thefpoker -9.Secured to the operat- ;ing shaft22 is a sheave of an eccentric, the

strap 30 of which isconnected to a'rod 31 pivoted tolever 32-by;pivot33. I

' ecured to the spur gear 21' is ne' element $54k of a clutch 27 havingsuitable'teeth, the other element 35 of the clutch having teethmeshiri'gthereivith; ,Thesecond'rclutch operating'shaft- 22, beingjfree'to move lonelemente35 is feather keyed'by key 36-to the 1 gitudinallythereon, but constrainedto ro-' 1 tate therewith. Asujitable abutment37" is on the operating shaft between i which and the clutch element :35springs38' are pro; vided to continually urge the-teeth of the clutchelements intomeshing relation *To operate the clutchfthe clutch element3 5 is provided with a-cam surfacef89; suit;v Y

able; lever 40 is pivoted byipivot'i ll tothe frameand is slidablymounted b'etween guides} 42. The -lever&0is provided with a'cain 1501-"1 lower 43 cooperatingwith the cam surface 39. The leveri lO isconnectedto a vertical rod 4-52" extending upwardly to alever 45,

pivoted tothe frame pivot 46. The other. end of the lever 45 supportsaweight 17 Secured to gone a xleffi of the poker and shovel carriageis' aratchet wheel 48; Strad dling the ratchet wheel and-looselymounted onthe axle is a pawl holder 49'to which is in. turn is,connected'toajsmall connector-58 7 connected tothe lever 32 to ;,;111owuniversal 1110151011.; The {adjustment leverf'32 is-.provided yvi th a"plurality of holes to which the: 1 eccentric rod fil maybe selectivelyconnected to change the throw of the pawl and hence the distance thecarriage is moved with each revolution of theeccentrich The upper shaftis suitably. in the carriageflframe and carries a clutch v 7 element1'O1iof clutch 117 looselymountedf thereon to whichfis secured theuppiei sprocke et 25. The other clutchelement" 102;is feathQ er-keyedtothe shaft and is normally held continuous movement onits return trip,suitable control linkage is provided.

Disposed along the tracks 11 is a control" rail 106 having its ends 107turnedaway from the carriage. Suitably pivoted by pivot 108 to thecarriage is a control lever 109 having a roller 110 at its outer end.The control lever 109 is also pivoted to the clutch collar of clutchelement 102 by pivot 111. A short lever 112 is pivoted to the frame bypivot 113, and a long lever 114 is pivoted'to the frame by pivot 115.The short leveris connected to pivot 111 and to the long leverby pivot116. i

Disposed along the tracks 11 at the end of. the operating pass or tripis a long stationary rod 118 on which is slidably mounted a contactmember 119 and fixedly mounted a stop 120. A long coil spring 121 isdisposed between the contact member and stop. The rod 118 is providedwith a second stop 122 for limiting the expansion of the spring.

Referring now to the poker 9, a fulcrum. support 123 is provided on theframe for supporting the poker at a :point near the edge of thetrough 1. Pivotally connected to the buckle 29 is a grooved roller 124.

Referring now to the mechanical shovel. the framework of the carriageprovided with a pair of lugs o-r ears'to which 'theimpeller arm 60 ispivotally connectedby pivot 61 and'a second pair of spaced ears to whichacomposite lever 62 (Fig. 2.) is pivoted by pivot 63. The framework hasa bracket member 64 having aligned openings in which .is slidablymounted a follower rod 65 having at its lower'end a roller 66 engagingthe cam surface 125on the cam wheel 28.

The follower rod 65 is provided witha suitable abutment 68 between whichand the plate 69 is disposed a coil spring 70, this coil spring actingto continuously urge the follower rod against the cam surface. The plate69 is secured in fixed relation to the bracket, member by a pair of rods71 disposedpn either side of the follower rod. 7 7

As shown, the impellerv arm 60is curved at its upper end and generallystraight for the rest of its length and has secured to one side thereofa pair of spaced lugs 72. A pai rof spaced ways or guides-73 is.securedto the lugs these \VZL S 01' uides bein icurved ;as I

x; t: a 3

shown in Fig. 1, to aidin giving the desired peculiar motion to theshovel blade 74. The grooved roller 124, on the buckle is disposedbetween these ways.

' Pivoted at thelower end ofth'e impeller arm is a shovel arm 7 7, thisarm comprising a body member having an opening in-its middle portion,forming branches (Fig; 2) between which the lower end of the impellerarm is disposed. A suitable pivot. bolt 78 threads the branches and theimpeller arm.

The front end of thebody is suitably forked,

and between the prongs of the fork the lower endof the elevating link 79 is suitably piv-:

otedby a pivot bolt 80. v The rear end of the shovel arm is'providedwith the blade 74 of the "shovel. which extends longitudinally of thefurnace a substantial extent and has a slightly back curved lower end81, as shown in Fig. 1. p i

The upper end of the elevating link 79 has a suitable loose or universalconnection 126 with the composite lever 62 to allow the swingingmovement of the elevating link back and forth and the up-and-downmovement im= parted thereto by the composite-lever. The follower rod 65has a pivot 88 which works in a slot in the composite lever 62 so thatthe reciprocating movement 'of the follower ma be imparted to thecomposite lever.

The carriage is shown in Fig. 3 almost at the end of its 'operatingtriporpassx The clutch 117 is normallyheld disengaged by: the spring 103 andthe control lever 109 rides idly alongthe control-rail. The clutch 27 isengaged and the shovel 1'0 and poker9 are being continuously operated;also the ratchet 50 is being reciprocated to move the carriage stepby-step. The parts are so related, however,

that all movement of the carriage takes place when the poker andshovel'are out of the charge in the hearth, so that, while the'poker andshovel operate on the charge in the hearth the carriage is stationary.

As the carriage approaches the end ofits operating pass or trip, thelong lever 114 engages the contact member 119 and-compresses the spring121 as shown in Fig.3. As soon as the controlleyer 109 rides off the endofthe-rail 106, the clutch 1 17 isengaged, sincethe spring 121 throughthe linkage 112, "1 14 exerts enough force to over.-

come the clutch spring 103. 'At the same time the clutch 117 isengaged,the' levers 45, 54 and' rods 44, 55 are moved-(1) to'pla'ce theshield 52 under the pawl 50, so that the :pawl oscillates idly'and (2)to move the lug 43 in the p'ath'ofthecamsurface 39, so that I! us theclutch 27 disengages itself. The cam. 39 f V and the pressure of springs38 am o; ar

ranged that, whenjthe' clutch 27 disengages, it disengages with the camin such position,

that the poker and. shovel are out 'of the hearth. p j j. -V

Under the action of the clutch 117,the car.-

riage begins a continuous return movement, .the long spring'121 holdingthe clutch'1l7 engaged until the control lever. 109* a-ga'in engages thecontrol rail," whence it holds the clutch 117 engaged. V I" When thecarriage reaches its startingmechanical. connection; between the pokerand shovel-Land step-by-step imecha'nism Lis continuous'and permanent sothat thereais always aTconstant i-relation between the pokerandshoyelandthe position of the,- rat.chet,lthus; insuring that the carriage isalways stationary while; the poker and shovel are inthe hearthi, n Theend-of the. pokera9will describe a closed path andoth'e chargewillbebroken up and leveled down and parts of-the charge thrownontheapron,alla's is described in v the above-co pendingfiapplications. The top ofthe; charge, when thus leveled down un-s v der some conditio'nsisillustrated jby line 8'6 inri ar I The mechanism? Will'fcause' the shoyel "to 1 execute movement illustrated "by? the dotted 'line and arrowsindicated by 87 inFigAl; This s'hovelfwill scrape the apron, asshown;

and-push the charge back, formingithe'bank which, under'some conditions.may be illus- "tr'ated'bytheline88in Fig.1, The shovel willntravelslowlyat the front ofthe hearth pending applications? but will receivesudden flip about halfway across the rbasin which flips the material; up

against the' backof the hearth andicauses it to roll forward by gravity,proVidingfase-V lective action as explained in the above co- VVhen{the-poker engages the charge;

breaks up the charge and levelsiit'down and throws part of-fit on theapron, similar-"to 7 the [old-manual, operation. The shovel/followin'g'pushes the charge back, flippingpart of ;it'.,.against thefurnacebacl'x uand causing part. of it to rolltorward with a selectiveaction, The larger particles rollforward ,the furthest andparticles of.sl'agnroll clown on the 1 apron :i 'rom which they can easily beremoved; -A: feeder, to 'jbe"describedg follows the shovel to feed thecharge whichzuiii the case of lead ores, jmay be pre-mi-Xed fuel,,-orej. and fume) in 1 such manner; as 5 to get the j proper distribution- 1across the width of; the hearth; or. the chargemay be fed ;=by@ han d 7by'{ workmen as in I the fold I and well :known manneri-z.

traveling feeder carriage 212 is supported by two axles 207 and 208,each axle having. two wheels 209. {Eordriving the-car v I riage -2121an-electric motor @210 is proi' ided:

7' i c n 'edmone orrhe axl s-2 ohueeiine beamed-e fies-si ma.

.; througha gear' train; comprising; cog wheels 211and 214;, and awornrdrivegreduction unit It Will be; understood-that the wheels sion ofbelt 235 maybe regulated'byadjust v2091M?rigidly se ured e fi -axle 208,end thatthe gear train may-be aried as desired.

The carriage frame 'suppo'rtsfa]suitable hopper 225 into which thecharge comprising" pre-mixed quantities: of ore, fume and fuelingafinely divided condition, may be delivered in any desired wayQ, Hopper,225

and is provided with @a' side discharge open ing 226, the siz'e-ofwhichmay. beconti'olled' bysuitablegates 227. 7 H v Gates 227 mayextendacrossthe-face of the hopper and serve to independently regulate the amount ofmaterial which isdiS- o charged from the .various portions thereof,

tapers downwardly as shownin Figs? and 9 The gates "may be proVided itha. curved bottom portion 228 and with an upstanding top portion 229serving, as handletheretorg They may be slidablyadjusted and secured byY bolts 230, passing through slots 231 extending longitudinally thereofand secured in hopper 225 adjacent the opening226 therein}; :1

A- traveling belt 235 is supported by car- "riage 212 adjacentitheopening-226 of hop-i per #225. Said belt may be supported on a pluralityof rollers 236 and driven by any ing gear '23? andchainjdriye238 lheten- .ing the position of the axleqof one fthe groove 242; *The positionof-cross head. 24 1 may be adj ustediby bolts 2431i Intermediate rollers236iseryeto support the belt at-the pointwherethe-i-charge isjappliedand pre; vent the weight of the charge from materially distorting "theline oftravel'thereoffi j Belt; 235 after receiving 'ai charge' fromhopper 225 discharges the: same into chute 244 through the medium'lof adischarge hopsuitable means from motor 216,-as jby rediie; 1

.95 end rollers 2450 (Fig. 1-0) which mayjbe car-r ried in cross head241 sli'dablymounted in per 245."rChute2denlFigs. :Tand 8) comprisesaplurality oat-feeders 2:46 superimposed in yerticalirelationship andext-ending over Various portions ofhearth. Ends 247 of feeders I246maybe of diagonal orslightly curved formationfor suitably spreading thesecond feeder: and this-same relationslfiip, carried out through: theentire'ass'embly; By f able c0 cover isfreduced to a smallpercentbers248 and'vibrated by suitable mechanism 7} charge transverselyof thehearth. r The-in-- nermost portion ofthe end 247 of upper feeder 246-issubstantially in'the sameline' as the outermost portion of the rnex tjadjacent or 1 this 'arrangement'jthei charge is' distributed throughoutthe entire width of the hearth'an de the triangular portion at theend'of the hearth j I. whichthe feederfhas' heretofore beenunfa'geotthat present with a chutehayingthe f-eeders arranged 1naa'single layer with a cientto cause the charge to flow down unless Saideccentric may be rotated directly from motor 216 as by belt drive 253(Fig. 11) and cooperating driving pulleys a and 255. The amount ofmaterial discharged from hopper 225 into the various feeders 246 bychute r Y 24 1 may be controlled by selectively regulating gates 22'?whereby the distribution of the material across belt 235 is varied. Theupper ends of feeders 2&6 are suitably positioned for receiving materialthrough .discharge chute to shake or vibrate in the manner abovedescribed, the loose spring mountings 24:8

allowing this action. should be such that the vibrations imparted acrossthe hearth from diagonal ends 24 7. The-chute may be mounted n ahorizontal 1 246,-and its distributionon the hearth will be The slope ofchute 24:4

to said chute are able to cause the charge to travel the length thereofand to be spread position and the charge caused to travel therein bymeans of a suitable reciprocating motion if. desired. Obviously, if theslope of the chute is made suiiiciently greatthe vi bratin'g mechanismcan be dispensed with and.

' the charge fed entirely by gravity.

As the carriage travels on, its operating trip, the charge will be teddown the-feeders controlled by the opening of the gates, 22?. Suitablemeans, to be described, is provided for stopping the operation of belt235 during .1 the return trip of the carriage in order to prevent theapparatus from feeding at'that time. 1 The mounting of the variousfeeders n" vertical relationship withtheir ends extending transverselyof'thehearth by graduated distances permits the charge to be evenlyspread across the entire hearth, and enables the feeder to worksubstantiallyto the end of the hearth. V rious gates arrangedthereacross permit the rate of feed to the various feeders to be variedas desired.

' For automatically controlling the operation of the feeder carriage inaccordance with theposition ofthe poker andshovel can riage, a pluralityofswitches andstops are provided which are shown diagrammaticallyCurrent is applied to,

ieF Ha t motor 15 from a bus bar 300 with whlch a suitable trolley 301carried by the poker and shovel carriage, makes contact. Current isalsofed to the reversible motor210 on the feeder carriage from trolley 301through wire ,302, lever 109, contact 303 carried by the framework ofthe poker'and shovel carriage,

The traveling belt andthe vathence throughwire 304i and switch 305 tomotor'.210.1 For reversing motor 210 the path of the current, assho-wn'in Fig. 15, is

through wire 302, arm 109, contact 306.,wire Y 307, reversing switch308, wiref 309 to, motor It is to be noted thatcontact'303 is closedwhen the poker and shovel carriage is in the "position shown inFig. 14and during the entire i workin g trip. When the carriage .reaches theend ofits working trip,.arm 1 09" takes the position shown:in.Fig.15,closing contact 306 whereby currentcmaybe' applied through the reversingswitch 308 tomotor Stationary stop members 310 and 311 are, suitablypositionedto cooperate with switch 305'for opening or closing the sameto the proper position .of the feeder. carriage.

jl vhenlthei carriage reaches the left hand position showninFig. 14 stop310closes switch 305 and stop member 312 opens.v switch 308.. 7

Then when the poker; and shovelcarriagebegins its operating trip, arm109 will. engage contact 303 therebyapplying current through line304jand switch 305 to motor 210 and cans ing: the feeder carriage"operating trip. When theend of the operating trip isreached, stop memberopens switch 305 and stop member 31 1 closes swit'ch308, then I when.arm 109 engages contact'306 current will be applied through sw itch 308"to motor 210 reversing the same and causingthe feed-f er carriage toreturn past the hearth. r f

7 Motor 216 which controls the feed receives" current through switch315, line 316and con tact 303. Switch 315 is closed and opened by stopmembers 317 and 318 respectively.

. ;'VVhen thel'feeder carriage on its operating trip passes the positionin which thefeeder is over the end of the hearth, stop 317 closes switch315 and thereby initiates the feeding operation. This continues untilthe feeder has traversed the hearth when stop 318 opens switch315, andinterrupts the feeding The feeding remains interrupted during thereturn" trip and until switch312 is again closed by stop 317 Itis to benoted that duringlthe return movementofthe carriage, arm 109 isdisengaged from contact 303 and accordingly current wouldnot be appliedto motor 210 re "gardless' of switch .315."

; lthoughany well known make of quick break switch could be applied forswitch-es 305, 315,;and 308, a particular construction Wl11Cl1 1Ssuitable for thls'purpose is shown in the U. s. patent to WhittinghamNacseaec,

dated October 16, 1900, for Electric switch. As shown diagrammaticallyin Fig, 16 this comprises aswitch arm:'320' mounted toengage contacts.321 when in closed position. The switch arm is operated by a-togglecomprising links 322and 323 whicli is held in its extreme positions byspring 324. v A pivoted arm 325 is provided with a bifurcated end 326carriage to first execute a working trip and then excute a return trip,a plurality of switches carried by said second carriage, station or.said second carriage, and means .inlZEICOHHGO'CIIIg'SLHCl switchesand'said clutch member whereby said carriages are caused to operatesubstantially as a unit.

l. In combination with a hearth type furnace, an automatic feedingmechanism, a car riage therefor, a trackway on which said mechanism isadapted to operate, "orward V andi'everse switches mounted on said car-'riage, stationary stop members arranged to automatically operate saidswitches for causing said carriage to execute a working trip and areturn trip, mechanism for controlling the feed, a third switch forcontrolling said feed mechanism, stationary stop members for operatingsaid third switch whereby said feeding mechanism is renderedoperativedurcarriage whensaidfeed is over said hearth, and is renderedinoperative during the return trip of said carriage, a second carriage,a

poker and shovel carried thereby, automatic means for causingsaidse'cond carriage to execute operating and return trips, and meansinterconnecting said carriages whereby said feeder follows said pokerand shovel during onto said hearth and whereby said poker and shovel areheldinoperative during the return trip. i i

5'. In combination with a hearth type furnace, an automatic feedingmechanism, a

carriage therefor, a trackway-on which said mechanism is adapted 'tooperate, forward and reverse switches mounted on said carriage,stationary stop members arranged to automatically operate said switchesfor, causing said carriage to execute a working trip and a return trip,mechanism for controlling the feed, a third switch for controlling saidfeeding mechanism,.stationary stop mem, bers for operating said thirdswitchwhereby said feeding mechanism is rendered opera- "tive during aportion of the working trip of Y said carriage when said creed is oversaid hearth, and is rendered inoperative during the return trip of saidcarriage, a poker and shovel, a second carriagecarrying saidpoker andshovel, means for causingsaid second carriage to intermittently 'movepaStsaid hearthon its working trip, means tor con-I tinuously movingsaid carriage past said hearthon-its return trip, means for operatingsaid poker and shovel on said wo'rk1ng trip, means for holding saidpoker and shovel stationary and out of engagement with said hearth vonthe return trip, and means for I causing'saidfeeder carriage and saidsecondcarriage to operate substantially as a unit,

6. lWechanism for operating a hearth type gag'eiiient .with said hearthv on Qtheretu'rii trip, a'secoiidcarria'ge carrying a feeding mechanism,means for causing sa d second neansfror causing said carriagetoint'er'initon said working trip, means for'h'olding said poker andshovel stationary and out of en- "gageme'nt with sa d hearth on theretu'ri i trip,

working and return trips, means for 'suspendj iii-g the I feed ngoperation during return trips, the operating trip for spreading mater al"said hearth, a second carriage carryii -gsaich' feeder, means forintermittently moving said poker, shovel and feeder operative on theirworkingtrips 'andjme'an's for causing both holding said poker, shoveland feeder inop erative during saidreiturn trip.

carriagecarr'y-ing said poker and shovel,

means for causing said carria'ge to intermittionary stop membersarranged to cooperate f with said switches for controlling the operasaidworking trip,means'for holding said poker and sliovelfstationary"and outof encarriage to eX-ecuteoperating and return trips,andiii-eans iorcausing said ,first'and second carriages to operate substantiallyfasa'unit. v t. v i 7. Mechanism forz operating a hearth typefuriiacecomgrising a pokerand shovel, a a

carriage carrying said "poker "and fsl'i'ovel,

tently move past said'he'arthon its working trip, means for continuouslyniovingsaid ing a portion of the working trip of said carriage past saidhearth on its/return trip, means for operating said 'pokerand shovel asecond carriage carrying" a feed-er ineans .for causing saifc'lteedercarriage to execute i and -means for causing said 'feede'r carriage andsaid second carriage to operate substan "tiallyasa unit. J 8.. Incombination With a hearth type fur crating said hearth, a carriagecarrying said poker and shovel, a mechanical feeder for said along saidhearth, andmea'ns for simulta- ..neously causing both of said carriagesto 8X6};

cute' working and return trips.

9. In combination with ajhearth t f nace, a mechanical poker and shovelfor operating said hearth, a' carriage carryingsaid poker and shovel, amechanical reederior,

first carriage along said hearth, means for continuously moving said{second ca'rriage along said hearth, means for render ng said,

of said carriages f -to simultaneously return to their Originalpositions and means for 10. In apparatus ofthe class described, afurnace, a trackw'ay along saidffu'rnace, a

-'c"arr iagelon said trackway carrying operating mechanism, a first'sourceot-motion o v,

said earriage'to mtve iton' its o-pe'ratingtrip; 130

106 :nace, a mechanical pokerand shovel for op.-

' a second, source of'motionon s'a-id'carriage to move it on its returntrip, interlocking. devices for selectively causing said source's todrive said carriage, biased means normal fly causing one source to drivejsaid carriage I and'lioldingtlie other source inoperativeto drive saidcarriage, meansat the end of one 1 of'saidtrips of said carriage for1nterchang-' ing said s ources,means along said trackway 161 r c ditiontillthe carriage reaches the end of. its

forfholding said sources in interchanged con other trip, a secondcarriage, means for moving said second carriage, longitudinally of" saidhearth, a'hoppe'r carried by said second carriage for, 'receiving'thecharge, a traveling belt for receivingmaterial from said hopper,-

' anda chute extending over said heart-h adapted to receive materialfrom said belt, said chutecomprisinga plurality of feeders arranged invertical alignment, and means for causing said carriages tosimultaneously exev cute operatingandreturn trips. V',"1.11;Inapparatusfof the class described, a' furr' ace, atrackvvayalong said furnace, a

carriage onsaid trackway carryingoperating mechanism, a'first source ofmotion on said carriage to move it on its operating trip, a

second source of? motion on said carriage to move it on itsreturntrip,interlocking devices for selectively causing saidisourcesto drivesaid,carriage',biased means normally causing one source to drive saidcarriage and hold ng the other source inoperative to drive saidcarriage, means :at the end of "one of said trips of said carriage forinterch'angingfsaid sources, ifand meansjalong said trackiva-y forholding "fs aid sources'ininterclianged condition till'the 'f carriagereachestjhe end of its other trip, a

'- [second carriage, means for moving saidsectheir'en dsof approximatelydiagonal forma Qtionand progressively displaced acrosssaid hearth "andmeans for causing saidcarriages to s'imultaneously' execute operat ngand return trips. a

112L111--metallurgical apparatus; lead smeltinghearth havinga relativelylong and I narrow-trough, a carriage adapted to move back and forthalong said hearth, a poker and shovel ,onfsaid' carriage for operating:said

a ly'lstation'ary, means for imparting a 'continheartl hearth,motivemeans for imparting fa step"*' lby-step movement; to said carriage onits op{ er'ati'ngtrip and for, operating saidpoker, and w p linkagecauses the 'firstclutoh to-engage as 1 shovel only'when said carriage issubstantial-1 nousmovement to said carriage on its'return trip w th sa dpoker and shovel clear of sa d evices at the "ends said trips for asecond carriage, means for moving said sec- ,ond carriagelongitudinallyof said hearth, a hopper carried by said secondcarriage-for receiving thejcl iarge, a traveling belt for re-* "ceiving'material from said hopper, and, a 'chute'extending over said. hearthadapted to a u ,4 receive material from said belt, said chute comprisinga plurality of feedersarranged in vertical alignment, and means forcausing said 'carriagesto simultaneously execute op-V eratngra'nd'return'trips. 1

13., In" metallurgical apparatus, 1 a lead smelting hearth having arelatively long and narrow trough, a carriage adapted to'm'ove back andforth along "said hearth, a poker" H and shovel on said carriage foroperating said hearth, motivemeans for imparting a 'step-' by-steplniovement to said carriage on its op erating trip andfor operatingsaid-poker and shovel only when said carriage is substan-- tial lystationary, means for imparting a continuous movement to said carriageonits return trip with said poker and shovel clear of'said heartlndevic'esat the ends of said trips for automatically exchanging said motive"means, a second carriage, means for moving said second carriagelongitudinally of said,

hearth, ahopper-carried by said second car-1 riage for'receiving thecharge, a traveling fbelt for receivingn aterialfrom said hopper,

and a c'li'ute 'extending over said hearth adapted 'to receive material:from said belt, said chute comprising a plurality offeede'rs ar-. y 1

ranged in'vertic'al alignment,2 said feeders I having their ends ofapproximately diagonal formation and progressively displaced across saidhearth, and nieansiforcausing said 'carriages to simultaneously executeoperating 7 and return" trips.

149111" apparatus of the class described, a

furnace, atrackvvay al'ongsaid furnace, a cari agej ion said trackyvay,a drive linotor on said "carriage, drive Wheels on said carriage, afirst clutch between said drive motor and drive heels, an operatingshaft, a crank on saidshaft, operating devices connected to said j'shaftjforioperating said furnace, a second clutch 'betvveeii said motorand operating;

"shaft, drive connections between said operatin'gsliaft and said Wheels,means for normal.-

lyjholding said first clutch disengaged and c said second clutchengaged,"a control rail:

along said 'trackivay,v a control member secured to. said carriage andadapted toride on said rail to hold said first clutch in, engagement onthe return trip of said carriage,linkage connecting said control memberand clutcl'ies', devices, at the end-"of the tra'ckvvay Whereby,at theend of the operating trip', 'said soon as the control memberruns ofl'thelrail ried by said second carriage for receiving the charge, atraveling belt for receiving material from said hopper, and a chuteextending over said hearth adapted to receive material from said belt,said chute comprising a plurality of feeders arranged in verticalalignment, said feeders having their ends of approximately diagonalformation and progres-n

